i'm missing it so much the thought of buying a MK1 just so i can drive one has actually crossed my mind John but i think my wife might actually kill me, i keep looking at the classifieds tho
Any panels will be heritage and rings pistons etc will be NOS everything else like frames etc is just in in need of TLC.
Concur fully about the quality of some of the parts, I'm learning quickly that whatever I replace I need to keep the old items on the shelf. Added to that a lot of the replacement parts are a desperately poor fit as well as quality.
Caterham and Lotus Seven Club Leadership Team Member
The register for all numbered limited-edition Caterhams ....... www.thecaterhamregister.net ...... www.instagram.com/thecaterhamregister
My personal choice would be to keep the mk2 lights but I'd say do whatever you're happiest with, ultimately it's reversible in the future.
I think my 1275GT must have been one of the last cars built with mk2 lights, it was built in summer 1977 and I think the mk3 lights were already being fitted by then.
Minispares have traditionally had a sale in early December with generally slightly bigger discounts than the TMF+ one. I've generally found the quality of their mechanical parts and customer service good. Rubber parts are a big problem, vacuum pipe elbows barely last a year and I'm on the 3rd set of rack gaiters in 5 years. The most recent set are Delphi branded bought from Amazon.
If your car is early 68 production it could have come out of the factory with a mix of Mk1 and Mk2 parts. Austin and Morris were using up the Mk1 parts so there were many cars produced that were effectively a Mk1.5. The cars in the Italian Job are a prime example of this. The item I have heard of most is the rear screen with early Mk2s having the smaller Mk1 in place. If it is an early 68 car you could pass it off as part of the transition.
Car now in bits. I am currently restoring various items. Petrol tanks, drums and headlight bowls at the moment then ill move on to various other bits like the rear subframe and suspension arms plus carb rebuild. Engine is off but not til Jan for a complete rebuild but as it's all original (according to the specialist) it's worth keeping right which means unleaded conversion may not be possible but we'll see.
We're going to bead blast the shell as this is gentler and the metal man believes acid dipping whilst trendy for a while is extremely bad news if doing the job correctly as there will always be acid residue and 'seepage' ooo er. He's a young guy but with real attention to detail and a perfectionist which suits me.
This is all a slow methodical process which suits my anally retentive nature and stops me watching various sources of daily news which makes me want to reach for my flamethrower.
I will at some point post pics but i'm on Ubuntu at the office and this is struggling to upload photos which means i have to do it from home when i get a mo.
Meanwhile i've ordered tank straps (mine have rotted badly) from Mini Spares thanks Moz. Right i'm off to the garage as wife rehearsing for panto (she 'll do anything for a thigh high boot and a thigh slap ! )
So she's stripped, dipped(we sourced a non acid method which seems to have worked) and the rebuild is slow but underway. Twin tanks, suspension etc are restored already the seats are being thought about. Engine is back and redone but not yet rebuilt (too much metal flying around for comfort. Sorry it's taken a while but i've been busy!
i'm missing it so much the thought of buying a MK1 just so i can drive one has actually crossed my mind John but i think my wife might actually kill me, i keep looking at the classifieds tho
Any panels will be heritage and rings pistons etc will be NOS everything else like frames etc is just in in need of TLC.
Concur fully about the quality of some of the parts, I'm learning quickly that whatever I replace I need to keep the old items on the shelf. Added to that a lot of the replacement parts are a desperately poor fit as well as quality.
Caterham and Lotus Seven Club Leadership Team Member
The register for all numbered limited-edition Caterhams ....... www.thecaterhamregister.net ...... www.instagram.com/thecaterhamregister
If your car is early 68 production it could have come out of the factory with a mix of Mk1 and Mk2 parts. Austin and Morris were using up the Mk1 parts so there were many cars produced that were effectively a Mk1.5. The cars in the Italian Job are a prime example of this. The item I have heard of most is the rear screen with early Mk2s having the smaller Mk1 in place. If it is an early 68 car you could pass it off as part of the transition.
Think it depends weather you are doing it up to sell or to keep and use ,, if doing it to sell ,to me it must be totally original as poss
if to use and keep and not bothered if loose a few pounds when sell it ,, do it to suit you and your pocket
that is the thoughts of the Yorkshire orical ,,, you no I’m right
Derek
Car now in bits. I am currently restoring various items. Petrol tanks, drums and headlight bowls at the moment then ill move on to various other bits like the rear subframe and suspension arms plus carb rebuild. Engine is off but not til Jan for a complete rebuild but as it's all original (according to the specialist) it's worth keeping right which means unleaded conversion may not be possible but we'll see.
We're going to bead blast the shell as this is gentler and the metal man believes acid dipping whilst trendy for a while is extremely bad news if doing the job correctly as there will always be acid residue and 'seepage' ooo er. He's a young guy but with real attention to detail and a perfectionist which suits me.
This is all a slow methodical process which suits my anally retentive nature
and stops me watching various sources of daily news which makes me want to reach for my flamethrower.
I will at some point post pics but i'm on Ubuntu at the office and this is struggling to upload photos which means i have to do it from home when i get a mo.
Meanwhile i've ordered tank straps (mine have rotted badly) from Mini Spares thanks Moz. Right i'm off to the garage as wife rehearsing for panto (she 'll do anything for a thigh high boot and a thigh slap ! )
This is all a slow methodical process...
Minifulness?
:-)
Jonathan
So she's stripped, dipped(we sourced a non acid method which seems to have worked) and the rebuild is slow but underway. Twin tanks, suspension etc are restored already the seats are being thought about. Engine is back and redone but not yet rebuilt (too much metal flying around for comfort. Sorry it's taken a while but i've been busy!